Self-regulating fluid control valve

A self-regulating water control valve for installation on a generally horizontally disposed conduit connecting two bodies of water separated by a barrier wherein it is desired to permit reciprocal flow of water through the conduit connecting the two bodies of water while the water level in a protected one of the bodies remains below a given critical water level and to prohibit flow of water from the other body of water through the conduit to the protected body of water when the continued flow of water would elevate the water level in the protected body of water above the critical water level, the self-regulating water control valve comprising:

• A. a self-closing door hingedly mounted to the conduit connecting the two bodies of water about a pivot axis and pivotable between an open position permitting reciprocal flow of water through the conduit and a closed position blocking flow of water to the protected body of water from the other body of water;
• B. means releaseably holding the door in its open position upon its being pivoted to its open position;
• and
• C. a float connected to the means releaseably holding the door in its open position and releasing said means upon being lifted, the float positioned to be lifted and to release said means when continued flow of water would elevate the water level in the protected body of water above the critical water level,
• whereby when the float releases the means releaseably holding the door in its open position, the door pivots to its closed position blocking further flow of water through the conduit to the protected body of water, and when the water level in the other body of water recedes below the water level in the protected body of water, the door is pivoted to its open position by the hydraulic head extant between the protected body of water and other body of water and by the flow of water through the conduit which occurs as the door opens.